Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Level of Commitment: Group or Team?

Since we were children, we have
been part of groups on many occasions.
Many have been informal—gathering with friends for meals or recreation,
for example—while others have been more structured—classes, work groups,
etc. We have all been part of groups,
but how many us of have been part of a team?
How can we tell the difference?

Groups are made up of
individuals. Although they may be
working on a common task, they still tend to think of themselves as individuals. Each person brings his or her gifts and
skills to the enterprise, but each person is careful in how these are shared,
providing only what is absolutely necessary to “do their part.” One reason is that rewards in a group are
usually given to certain individuals—the designated leader or the high
performers. Interpersonal relationships
are guarded and cautious.

A team on the other hand not only
has a common purpose, but the persons involved often have a role in shaping
that purpose and how it will be achieved.
The gifts and skills of each person are not only utilized, they are
recognized and encouraged. Teams tend to
be more than the sum of their parts because something happens when team members
are invested in the outcome of the team’s efforts. A real team shares the rewards with everyone
who is a part of the team because success or failure is dependent on the team
dynamic and not simply individual achievement. Team members appreciate and
empower one another.

Working as a group may be hard
but it takes much less effort than building a team. Members of a well-functioning team will
readily assert that it is worth the extra effort.

In I
Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul pointed out very clearly the difference for
Christians between being part of a group and being part of a team. He writes, “Now to each one the
manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1
Corinthians 12:7, NIV). Each believer is
blessed by the presence of the Spirit in his or her life and that Spirit calls
forth certain gifts. The key teaching,
however, is that these gifts are not just for the benefit of the individual but
for the common good. The church is a
team of people who are not only called to pull in the same direction but to
share the giftedness that God have provided to each of them to accomplish the
mission of God.

If you are a Christian believer, you are called not just to a
group but to a team.

No comments:

About Me

I consider myself an itinerant educator. My time is spent in encouraging and equipping ministers through my work with the Central Baptist Seminary and Pinnacle Leadership Associates. I also do volunteer work with my church in the area of leader development. Other time is devoted to reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with grandchildren and my wife, Rita.